Kids love their bath toys, don’t they? Whether it’s something traditional like a rubber ducky or a toy they can use to squirt water at you or their siblings, no kid’s bath time would be complete without some colorful plaything to distract them.
The trick is figuring out how to keep these toys clean, particularly the ones that have crevices and holes where water can get stuck and where mold or mildew can form as a result. You might be a frustrated parent, a professional cleaner, or a DIYer who just wants an easy way to clean toys. Whatever your circumstances, our Pros have put together this guide to help you out.
What Are Bath Toys Usually Made Of?
Bath toys are made of a variety of materials that do well in water. Here are some examples.
If you decide to purchase toys that are made out of plastic, make sure to choose plastic that’s phthalate-free. They should also be free of BPA, PVC, or any other chemical that might be harmful to your child.
When Do Bath Toys Need to Be Disinfected?
Before we tell you about the specific cleaning supplies and products you’ll need to get your child’s bath toys clean, here are some of the signs that they need disinfecting and not just a simple cleaning.
- Your child has had an accident (pee or poop) while in the bathtub with their toys
- You can see mold or mildew on the interior of the toy
- It’s been more than couple of weeks since you’ve cleaned them
The truth is that bath toys get exposed to a lot of gross bacteria and they’re often full of tiny holes where water (and germs) can get stuck. You should wash your kid’s bath toys regularly to make sure they’re not harboring anything that could lead to illness or infection.
Cleaning Products and Supplies to Clean Bath Toys
Here are the basic cleaning supplies and products that you’ll need to clean and/or disinfect bath toys. You probably already have most of these in your home.
Cleaning Products |
Cleaning Supplies |
Dish soap |
Sponge |
Bleach |
Plastic tub |
Vinegar |
Kitchen gloves |
Hydrogen peroxide |
Protective mask |
|
Protective goggles |
How to Disinfect Bath Toys
Here are the simple steps to disinfect bath toys and make certain that they’re not exposing your child to any bacteria that could make them sick.
Step 1: Fill a plastic tub with 10 parts hot water and one part bleach. (In other words, if you add 10 cups of water, add one cup of bleach.)
Step 2: Submerge the toys to be disinfected in the bleach and water mixture. Squeeze any toys with interior spaces to make sure the water gets inside and fills them completely.
Step 3: If toys are too big to get completely submerged in the water, put on gloves and use a clean sponge to make sure they’re coated in the bleach and water solution and that they stay wet for at least 6 minutes.
Step 4: Let all the toys sit in the solution for at least six minutes.
Step 5: Remove the disinfected toys and rinse them in hot water. Make sure to fill the interiors of toys and squeeze out water several times to be sure all bleach has been removed.
Step 6: Allow the disinfected bath toys to air dry completely before using them again.
Watch the video below to see an alternative method to disinfect those toys without using bleach.
How to Clean Bath Toys in the Dishwasher
One of the quickest and easiest ways to get rid of dirt or bacteria in bath toys is to use this method to put them through the dishwasher.
Step 1: Rinse all toys to remove obvious dirt and grime from them.
Step 2: Take the toys to be cleaned and arrange them on the top level of the dishwasher. If there are interiors, make sure they’re facing downward so the hot water can get to them. For smaller toys, putting them in a mesh laundry bag (like the kind you’d use for lingerie) can prevent them from dropping to the bottom of the dishwasher during the cycle.
Step 3: Add your regular dishwasher detergent.
Step 4: Run the cycle with just the toys inside.
Step 5: Let the machine drying cycle get rid of any water.
Step 6: If you’re still seeing water inside toys, allow them to air dry fully before allowing your child to use them.
How to Clean Rubber Ducky with Mold
What happens if rubber ducky is getting moldy? You could ditch the little guy and buy a new one, or you could use this simple vinegar method to send that mold packing.
Step 1: Fill a plastic tub with equal parts vinegar in water. You could use apple cider vinegar, but white vinegar is the cheapest option.
Step 2: Submerge all toys in the vinegar mixture. Make sure that any toys with cavities are filled with the solution. Everything should be completely submerged.
Step 3: Allow the toys to sit for a minimum of 15 minutes, but if you can leave them for 24 hours, that’s the best way to be sure they’re truly clean and free of mold and mildew.
Step 4: Squeeze all of the vinegar mixture out of toys and rinse them completely under hot running water to remove all vinegar.
Step 5: Allow the toys to air dry before putting them in the tub with your child.
What we like about using vinegar is that it’s even safe for wooden bath toys if you have any of those. It’s non-toxic and you won’t need to wear gloves or worry about ventilation.
Tips to Keep Bath Toys Clean
Cleaning and disinfecting bath toys is all well and good, but is there anything you can do to keep them cleaner for longer? Here are some of the best tips from our Pros.
- After a bath, rinse each toy under hot running water and allow it to air dry. The rinsing part is crucial because any bacteria that might get into the toys during the bath won’t have a chance to grow.
- Always disinfect toys if your child pees or poops in the tub. Don’t take chances with that because that’s bacteria that can be really harmful.
- If you’re worried about germs and bacteria getting inside toys with small openings, you can simply seal the openings with some glue to prevent water from getting in.
- Inspect the insides of bath toys regularly and disinfect them if you spot any mold or mildew growing inside.
Our final piece of advice would be that, when in doubt, you should toss any toys that look suspect or that you can’t get really clean. It’s not worth risking your child’s health and safety to keep a toy that may be moldy around.
FAQ About Cleaning Bath Toys
Question |
Answer |
Can you put bath toys in the washing machine? |
Yes. If you decide to do so, we’d recommend washing them by themselves and putting them in a mesh laundry bag. Don’t put them in the dryer, as they may melt or get damaged in high heat. Instead, let them air dry after you wash them. |
How long does it take to disinfect bath toys in bleach and water? |
Six minutes should be enough, but you can leave them as long as 10 minutes if you prefer. |
How do you get mildew out of bath toys? |
Mildew grows in moist environments, so it’s very common for it to show up on bath toys. You can get mildew out by soaking the toys in bleach and water for 6-10 minutes, or in equal parts vinegar and water for up to 24 hours. |
Can I prevent mold from growing on my child’s bath toys? |
Yes. The best method is to rinse toys after each bath and allow them to air dry completely between uses. |
Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean bath toys? |
Yes, use equal parts water and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak the toys for at least 15 minutes, making sure that all interior cavities are filled with the solution. Then rinse and air dry. |
Conclusion
Fun and brightly colored bath toys may serve as a welcome distraction when bathing your kids, but it’s important to make sure they’re not serving as a petri dish for bacteria, mold, and mildew. Use the tips our Pros have laid out here to make sure that all bath toys in your home are clean and free of toxins.
